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SizeLarge
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HeightMales – 25.5 to 27.5 inches at the withers, Females – 23.5 to 25.5 inches at the withers
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WeightMales – 60 to 85 pounds Females – 55 to 75 pounds
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CoatWiry
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ColorBlack or salt and pepper
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EnergyHigh
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ActivitiesConformation, Tracking, Guarding, Police and Military Work, Obedience, Agility, Schutzhund
Distinguished by his bearded muzzle, the Giant Schnauzer is a robust, powerful dog originally bred to drive livestock.
Temperament
The Giant Schnauzer is a loyal and intelligent breed that loves having a job to do. A natural guard dog, he considers his most important task to be protecting his human family.
Highly energetic, the Giant Schnauzer should be vigorously exercised daily.
Characteristics
Like their fellow Working breed group members, Giant Schnauzers are impressively large and solidly muscled. Accentuated by a distinguished beard and eyebrows, their wise and alert faces indicate a dog ready to take on the task at hand.
Lifespan
12 to 15 years
Colors
The Giant Schnauzer’s coat is either black, or pepper and salt.
Shedding
The Giant Schnauzer is a low-shedding breed, but these dogs do have a dense, weather-resistant double coat that requires weekly brushing. The coat also needs to be clipped or stripped regularly.
Health
The Giant Schnauzer is a healthy breed overall. Responsible breeders screen for issues such as hip dysplasia, eye disease and autoimmune thyroiditis.
Best Dog Food for Giant Schnauzer Dogs & Puppies
Giant Schnauzers may benefit from a large breed dog food. For Giant Schnauzers who need help with weight management, consider a healthy weight formula.
Giant Schnauzer puppies should eat a large breed puppy food for their first year of life to aid in their growth and development.
History
In the mid 1800s the Giant Schnauzer was developed as a working dog to drive cattle to market. Bred up from the Standard Schnauzer, this larger version also served as a guard dog for farmers, merchants and innkeepers.
When cattle started to travel to market by train, Giants found new roles more in line with their protector heritage, as European police dogs and military K-9s. In America they are admired not only as family guardians, but also as standout show dogs and obedience champions.
Facts
- In Germany the Giant Schnauzer has a different name: Riesenschnauzer, which means “the giant.”
- Although Giant, Standard and Miniature Schnauzers are all Schnauzers, they are not simply different sizes of the same breed. Each is a distinct breed that has been developed to look like the other two.
